COMMON GARDEN PLANTS 103 



the plant was originally endowed, and partially 

 also of the seed. 



The common cucumber may be crossed with 

 the variety known as the Russian cucumber and 

 the "Lemon" cucumber which in form and color 

 resembles a melon; but in general this plant 

 proves its individuality by refusing to hybridize 

 with its not very distant relatives, such as the 

 melons. But many of the other members of the 

 family hybridize readily. Indeed, there is so little 

 difficulty in crossing them that it is necessary 

 to plant the different species in widely separated 

 rows to prevent accidental hybridization through 

 the agency of the bees. 



With the cucumber there is no such difficulty, 

 as it does not hybridize with other melons. 

 Doubtless because of its lack of affinity for other 

 species, the cucumber is relatively easy to fix as 

 to new varieties, differing very markedly in that 

 respect from the squashes and gourds. 



The so-called snake cucumber is in reality a 

 muskmelon. It will cross readily with the other 

 varieties of muskmelon. The product, however, 

 is inferior, considered either as a cucumber or as 

 a melon. The banana melon is probably a cross 

 between the snake cucumber and some other 

 muskmelon; or it may have originated from the 

 same source as the snake cucumber itself. 



